System and method for a software steerable web camera with multiple image subset capture

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for controlling the capture of an image of an object, includes: a lens capable to capture a scene within a wide field of vision of the lens; an image collection array communicatively coupled to the lens and capable to store data of the scene within the wide field of vision; a memory communicatively coupled to the image collection array and capable to store digitized data of the scene within the wide field of vision; and a processing stage communicatively coupled to the memory and capable to select a plurality of subsets of the digitized data of the scene in order to generate an image of the captured scene.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/823,804, by common inventor Robert Novak, filed Mar. 30, 2001 nowabandoned, and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SOFTWARE STEERABLE WEBCAMERA”. application Ser. No. 09/823,804 is fully incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to digital imaging, digital video orweb cameras, and more particularly but not exclusively, to systems andmethods for capturing camera images by use of software control.

BACKGROUND

Conventional digital imaging, digital video or web cameras (“webcams”)can be used for teleconferencing, surveillance, and other purposes. Oneof the problems with conventional webcams is that they have a veryrestricted field of vision. This restricted vision field is due to thelimitations in the mechanism used to control the webcam and in theoptics and other components in the webcam.

In order to increase the vision field of a webcam, the user mightmanually control the webcam to pan and/or tilt in various directions(e.g., side-to-side or up-and-down) and/or to zoom in or away from animage to be captured. However, this manual technique is inconvenient, asit requires the user to stop whatever he/she is doing, to readjust thewebcam, and to then resume his/her previous activity.

Various other schemes have been proposed to increase the webcam visionfield, such as adding complex lens assemblies and stepper motors to thewebcams to permit the camera to perform the pan and zoom functions.However, complex lens assemblies are expensive and will make webcamsunaffordable for many consumers. Additionally, stepper motors use movingor mechanical parts that may fail after a certain amount of time, thusrequiring expensive repairs or the need to purchase a new webcam.Stepper motors may also disadvantageously suffer from hysterisis, inwhich repeated pan, tilt or zooming operations lead to slightlyinconsistent settings during each operation.

Furthermore, repairs for webcams on set top boxes (STBs) areparticularly expensive because of the required service call forrepairing the STB webcam.

Accordingly, there is need for a new system and method to allow webcamsto increase their vision field. There is also a need for a new systemand method to permit webcams to perform particular operations, such aspanning, tilting, and/or zooming, without using stepper motors orrequiring the user to physically adjust the webcam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a webcam coupled to a set top boxaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the webcam of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the set top box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one example of a memory device of the settop box.

FIG. 5A is an illustrative example block diagram showing a function ofthe webcam of FIG. 1 in response to particular pan and/or tilt commands.

FIG. 5B is an illustrative example block diagram of selected subsets ina digitized scene image data in response to particular pan and/or tiltcommands.

FIG. 6A is an illustrative example block diagram of a selected subsetimage data with distortions.

FIG. 6B is an illustrative example block diagram of a selected subsetimage data that has been distortion compensated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8A is an illustrative example block diagram showing a function ofthe webcam of FIG. 1 in response to particular pan and zoom commands.

FIG. 8B is an illustrative example block diagram of a selected subset inthe digitized scene image data in response to a particular pan command.

FIG. 8C is an illustrative example block diagram of the selected subsetin FIG. 8B in response to a particular zoom command.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative example block diagram of the selected subsetin FIG. 9 in response to another particular zoom command.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method according to another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 11 is another diagram shown to further assist in describing anoperation of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 13A is an illustrative example block diagram showing a function ofthe camera of FIG. 12 in response to particular pan, tilt, and/or zoomcommands.

FIG. 13B is an illustrative example block diagram of selected subsets ina digitized scene image data in response to particular pan, tilt, and/orzoom commands.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation of another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative example block diagram of selected particularsubsets a digitized scene image data related to FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another operation of an embodiment ofthe invention where selected image data subsets overlap.

FIG. 17 is an illustrative example block diagram of selected subsets ina digitized scene image data where at least some of the selected subsetsoverlap.

FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating another operation of an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 18B is an illustrative example block diagram of selected particularsubsets a digitized scene image data related to FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating an operation of an embodiment of theinvention where image data subsets are transmitted from a camera to adestination device.

FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating an operation of an embodiment of theinvention where image data subsets are transmitted from a customerpremise equipment to a destination device.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a method according to another embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of a system and method for a software steerable camera aredisclosed herein. As an overview, an embodiment of the inventionprovides a system and method that capture camera images by use ofsoftware control. As an example, the camera may be web camera or othertypes of camera that can support a wide angle lens. The wide angle lensis used to capture a scene or image in the wide field of vision. Thecaptured scene or image data is then stored in an image collection arrayand then digitized and stored in memory. In one embodiment, the imagecollection array is a relatively larger sized array to permit the arrayto store image data from the wide vision field. Processing is performedfor user commands to effectively pan or tilt the webcam in particulardirections and/or to zoom the webcam toward or away from an object to becaptured as an image. However, instead of physically moving the webcamin response to the user commands, a particular subset of the digitizeddata is selected and processed so that selected subset data provides asimulated panning, tilting, and/or zooming of the image of the capturedobject. A compression/correction engine can then compensate the selectedsubset data for distortion and compress the selected subset data fortransmission.

In another embodiment, a plurality of subsets in the digitized data areselected and processed prior to transmitting the data subsets to adestination device. Particular subsets may be overlapping ornon-overlapping in the digitized data. A motion detector may, forexample, be used to determine the location of at least one of the datasubsets. This embodiment may permit a single camera to simulate multiplevirtual cameras, since images from multiple focus areas can be seriallycaptured and integrated into a single, integrated output image.

The invention advantageously permits a camera, such as a webcam, to havea wide vision field. The invention may also advantageously provide awide vision field for cameras that have short depth fields. Theinvention also advantageously avoids the use of stepper motors to obtainparticular images based on pan and zoom commands from the user.

In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, suchas the description of system components in FIGS. 1 through 20, toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, parts, and the like. In otherinstances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shownor described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”,or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a webcam 100 coupled to a set top box(“STB”) 140 according to an embodiment of the invention. The webcam 100can capture an image of an object 130 that is in the webcam field ofvision. Webcam 100 is coupled to STB 140 via, for example, a cable 110.Webcam 100 may also be coupled to STB 140 by use of other suitableconnections or methods, such as IR beams, radio signals, suitablewireless transmission techniques, and the like. Typically, STB 140 iscoupled to a cable network 160 and receives TV broadcasts, as well asother data, from the cable network 160. Typically, STB 140 is alsocoupled to the Internet 150 or other networks for sending and receivingdata. Data received from the Internet 150 or cable network 160 may bedisplayed on a display 120. STB 140 may also transmit images that arecaptured by the webcam 100 to other computers via the Internet 150. STBmay also transmit the captured webcam images to a printer 165 and/or toother devices 170 such as a computer in a local area network.

It is noted that embodiments of the invention may also be implemented inother types of suitable cameras that can support a wide angle lens. Forexample, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented in, forexample, security cameras, ATM cash machine cameras, spy cameras,portable cameras, or pin-hole type cameras. It is further noted that theinvention is not limited to the use of STB 140. Other processing devicemay be used according to embodiments of the invention to perform imagedistortion compensation, image compression, and/or other functions thatwill be described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the webcam 100 of FIG. 1.Webcam 100 comprises a lens 210; a shutter 220; a filter 230; an imagecollection array 240; a sample stage 245; and an analog to digitalconverter (“ADC”) 250. The lens 210 may be a wide angle lens, such as afish-eye lens, that has angular field of, for example, at least about140 degrees, as indicated by lines 200. Using a wide-angle lens allowswebcam 100 to capture a larger image area than a conventional webcam.Shutter 220 opens and closes at a pre-specified rate, allowing lightinto the interior of webcam 100 and onto a filter 230. Filter 230 allowsfor image collection array 240 to capture different colors of an imageand may include a static filter, such as a Bayer filter, or may includea spinning disk filter. In another embodiment, the filter may bereplaced with a beam splitter or other color differentiation device. Inanother embodiment, webcam 100 does not include a filter or other colordifferentiation device.

In one embodiment, the image collection array 240 can include chargecoupled device (“CCD”) sensors or complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (“CMOS”) sensors, which are generally much less expensivethan CCD sensors but may be more susceptible to noise. Other types ofsensors may be used in the image collection array 240. The size of theimage collection array 240 is relatively larger in size such as, forexample, 1024 by 768, 1200 by 768, or 2000 by 1000 sensors. The largesized array permits the array 240 to capture images in the wide visionfield 200 that is viewed by the webcam 200.

A sample stage 245 reads the image data from the image collection array240 when shutter 220 is closed, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)250 converts the image data from an analog to digital form, and feedsthe digitized image data to STB 140 via cable 110 for processing and/ortransmission. In an alternative embodiment, the image data may beprocessed entirely by components of the webcam 100 and transmitted fromwebcam 100 to other devices such as the printer 165 or computer 170.

For purposes of explaining the functionality of embodiments of theinvention, other conventional components that are included in the webcam100 have been omitted in the figures and are not discussed herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the set top box (STB) 140.STB 140 includes a network interface 300; a processor 310; a memorydevice 320; a frame buffer 330; a converter 340; a modem 350; a webcaminterface 360, and an input device 365, all interconnected forcommunication by system bus 370. Network interface 300 connects the STB140 to the cable network 160 (FIG. 1) to receive videocasts from thecable network 160. In alternative embodiments, the modem 350 orconverter 340 may provide some or all of the functionality of thenetwork interface 300.

Processor 310 executes instructions stored in memory 320, which will bediscussed in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 4. Frame buffer 330holds preprocessed data received from webcam 100 via webcam interface360. In another embodiment, the frame buffer 330 is omitted since thedata from webcam 100 may be loaded into memory 320 instead of loadingthe data into the frame buffer 330.

Converter 340 can convert, if necessary, digitally encoded broadcasts toa format usable by display 120 (FIG. 1). Modem 350 may be a conventionalmodem for communicating with the Internet 150 via a publicly switchedtelephone network. The modem 350 can transmit and receive digitalinformation, such as television scheduling information, the webcam 100output images, or other information to Internet 150. Alternatively,modem 350 may be a cable modem or a wireless modem for sending andreceiving data from the Internet 150 or other network.

Webcam interface 360 is coupled to webcam 100 and receives image outputfrom the webcam 100. Webcam interface 360 may include, for example, auniversal serial bus (USB) port, a parallel port, an infrared (IR)receiver, or other suitable device for receiving data. Input device 365may include, for example, a keyboard, mouse, joystick, or other deviceor combination of devices that a user (local or remote) uses to controlthe pan, tilt, and/or zoom webcam 100 by use of software controlaccording to embodiments of the invention. Alternatively, input device365 may include a wireless device, such an infrared IR remote controldevice that is separate from the STB 140. In this particular alternativeembodiment, the STB 140 also may include an IR receiver coupled to thesystem bus 370 to receive IR signals from the remote control inputdevice.

The components shown in FIG. 3 may be configured in other ways and inaddition, the components may also be integrated. Thus, the configurationof the STB 140 in FIG. 3 is not intended to be limiting.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a memory device 320 of theset top box 140. Memory device 320 may be, for example, a hard drive, adisk drive, random access memory (“RAM”), read only memory (“ROM”),flash memory, or any other suitable memory device, or any combinationthereof. Memory device 320 stores, for example, a compression/correctionengine 400 that performs compression and distortion compensation on theimage data received from webcam 100. Memory device 320 also stores, forexample, a webcam engine 410 that accepts and process user commandsrelating to the pan, tilt, and/or zoom functions of the webcam 100, asdescribed below. It is also noted the compression/correction engine 400and/or the webcam engine 410 may be stored in other storage areas thatare accessible by the processor 310. Furthermore, thecompression/correction engine 400 and/or the webcam engine 410 and/or asuitable processor for executing software may be stored in the webcam100. It is noted that either one of the compression/correction engine400 or webcam engine 410 may be implemented, for example, as a program,module, instruction, or the like.

Compression/correction engine 400 uses, for example, any known suitableskew correction algorithm that compresses a subset of the image outputfrom webcam 100 and that compensates the subset image output fordistortion. The distortion compensation of the subset image output maybe performed before the compression of the subset image output. Inanother embodiment, the distortion is automatically corrected in thesubset image output when performing the compression of the subset imageoutput, and this leads to a saving in processor resource.

Webcam engine 410 accepts input from a user including instructions topan or tilt the webcam 100 in particular directions and/or to zoom thewebcam 100 toward or away from an object to be captured as an image.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of operations of an embodiment ofthe invention. For example, FIG. 5A is a block diagram illustrating atop view of webcam 100. The vision field 200 of the wide angle lens 210of webcam 100 captures a wide scene area including the three objects480, 482, and 484. In contrast, a conventional webcam may only be ableto capture the scene area in the limited vision field 481. As a result,a conventional webcam may need manual adjustment or movement by steppermotors to capture the objects 480 or 484 that are outside of the limitedvision field 481.

For the webcam 100, the entire scene captured in the vision field 200 isstored as an image in the image collection array 240 (FIG. 2) andprocessed by sample stage 245 and ADC stage 250, and the image data ofthe entire scene is stored as digitized scene image data 485 in framebuffer 330 (or memory 320). Thus, each position in the scene area thatis covered by vision field 200 corresponds to a position in the imagecollection array 240 (FIG. 2). The values in the positions in the imagecollection array 240 are then digitized as values of the digitized sceneimage data 485.

The webcam engine 410 (FIG. 4) allows a user to select a subset area inthe vision field 200 for display or transmission, so as to simulate apanning/tilting feature of conventional webcams that use stepper motors.For example, assume that the digitized image data 485 was captured inresponse to a user directly or remotely sending a command 486 via inputdevice 365 to pan the webcam 100 to the left in order to permit thecapture of an image of the object 480. The webcam engine 410 receivesthe pan left command 486 and accordingly samples an area 487 thatcontains an image of the object 480 in the digitized scene image data485.

As another example, if the user were to send a pan right command 488 towebcam 100, then the webcam engine 410 selects an area (subset) 489 thatcontains an image of the object 484 in the digitized scene image data485.

As another example, if the user were to send a tilt down command 495 towebcam 100, then the webcam engine 410 selects a subset 496 thatcontains an image of the bottom portion 498 of object 484 in thedigitized scene image data 485.

Webcam engine 410 then passes a selected area (e.g., selected area 487,489, 496) to the compression/correction engine 400 (FIG. 4). Thecompression/correction engine 400 then performs compression operationand distortion compensation. For example, in FIG. 6A, assume that theselected area 487 shows distortions 490 in the image of 480 as a resultof using the wide angle lens 210. For images captured by a wide anglelens, the distortions become more pronounced toward the edges of theimages. The compression/correction engine 400 can perform distortioncompensation to reverse the distortion caused by the wide angle lens 210on the captured image of object 480. Typically, this compensation isperformed by changing the curved surface of an image into a straightsurface.

FIG. 6B shows an image of the object 480 without distortions afterapplying distortion compensation on the selected area 487. Thus, theimage of the object 480 is shown as a normal rectilinear image. Theselected area 487 can then be compressed by the compression/correctionengine 400. In another embodiment, the compression and distortioncompensation for selected area 487 can be performed concurrently. In yetanother embodiment, the distortion compensation for selected area 487can be performed before compression of the selected area 487.

The webcam engine 410 then passes the compressed distortion-compensatedselected image data 487 to an output device, such as display 120(FIG. 1) for viewing, or to the printer 165 or other devices such ascomputer 170. In addition to or instead of passing the compresseddistortion-compensated selected image data 487 to an output device,webcam engine 410 may transmit the data 487 to another device coupled tothe Internet 150.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method 600 to perform a panning, tilting orzooming function according to an embodiment of the invention. A userfirst sends (605) a pan/tilt command indicating a direction of an objectto be captured in an image by a webcam. A scene in the field of visionof a lens of the webcam is then captured (605). In one embodiment, thecaptured scene is in the vision field 200 (FIG. 2) of a wide angle lens210 of the webcam 100. The captured scene in the vision field is thenstored (615) as scene image data in an image collection array. The imagecollection array may, for example, include charge coupled devices orcomplementary metal oxide semiconductor sensors. The scene image data inthe image collection array is then processed and stored (620) as adigitized scene image data. The digitized scene data may be stored in,for example, the frame buffer 330 in the set top box 140 or otherprocessing device. Based on the pan/tilt/zoom command(s), a subset ofthe digitized scene image data is selected (625). In one embodiment, thewebcam engine 410 processes the pan/tilt/zoom command(s) and selects thesubset of the digitized scene image data based on the pan/tilt/zoomcommand(s).

Distortion compensation and compression is then performed (630) on thesubset of the digitized scene image data. In one embodiment, thecompression/correction engine 400 performs (630) the distortioncompensation and compression of the subset of the digitized scene imagedata. The distortion-compensated and compressed subset is thentransmitted (635) to a selected destination such as display 120, toanother device via Internet 150 or cable network 160, to printer 165,and/or to computer 170.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an example of another operation of anembodiment of the invention. Assume the user sends a command 700 inorder to capture an image of the object 710 and another command 705 tozoom the image of the object 710. A conventional webcam will require aphysical pan movement to the left to capture the image of the object 705and to capture a zoomed image of the object 705. Assume in this examplethat the digitized scene image data 485 of the scene in the vision field200 was captured in the manner described above. The webcam engine 410receives the pan left command 700 and accordingly selects an area 715that contains an image of the object 710 in the digitized scene imagedata 485. The compression/correction engine 400 can perform distortioncompensation to reverse the distortion caused by the wide angle lens 210on the captured image of object 710. Typically, this compensation isperformed by changing the curved surface of an image into a straightsurface.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8C, in response to the zoom command 705, thewebcam engine 410 can enlarge an image of the selected area 715 in, forexample, the frame buffer 330. The compression/correction engine 400 canthen compress the image of selected area 715 and transmit the compressedimage to a destination such as the display 120 or other suitabledevices.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A and 9 to describe another functionaccording to an embodiment of the invention. Assume the user sends acommand 700 in order to capture an image of the object 710 and anothercommand 740 to zoom away from the object 710. The webcam engine 410receives the pan left command 700 and accordingly selects an area 750that contains an image of the object 710 in the digitized scene imagedata 485. However, since the webcam engine 410 also received the zoomaway command 740, the selected area 750 will be larger in size and covera greater selected area portion in the digitized scene image area 485than the selected area 715 in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method 800 to perform a zooming functionaccording to an embodiment of the invention. A user first sends (805) azoom command indicating whether to zoom in or away from an object to becaptured in an image by a webcam. A scene in the field of vision of thelens of the webcam is then captured (810). The captured scene in thevision field is then stored (815) as scene image data in an imagecollection array. The scene image data in the image collection array isthen processed and stored (820) as a digitized scene image data. Basedon the zoom command, a subset of the digitized scene image data isselected (825).

Processing of the subset of the digitized scene image data is thenperformed (827) based on the zoom command. For example, if the zoomcommand is for zooming the image of the captured object, then the subsetof the digitized scene image data is enlarged. As another example, ifthe zoom command is for zooming away from the captured object, then theselected subset will cover a greater area in the digitized scene imagedata.

Distortion compensation and compression are then performed (830) on thesubset of the digitized scene image data. The distortion-compensated andcompressed subset is then transmitted (835) to a selected destinationsuch as display 120, to another device via Internet 150 or cable network160, to printer 165, and/or to computer 170.

FIG. 11 is another diagram shown to further assist in describing anoperation of an embodiment of the invention. A scene 900 falls withinthe vision field 905 of a wide angle lens 910 of a camera 915. Thecaptured scene is digitized and processed into a digitized scene data920. A subset 925 of the digitized scene data 920 is selected based on apan, tilt, and/or zoom command(s) that can be transmitted from an inputdevice by the user. The selected subset 925 may be skew corrected (e.g.,distortion compensated) into scene data 930 that can be transmitted to adestination. The scene data 930 is also typically compressed in order tooptimize the data transmission across a network.

FIG. 12 is diagram illustrating an operation of another embodiment ofthe invention. A scene 1000 falls within the vision field 1005 of a wideangle lens 1010 of a camera 1015. The captured scene is digitized andprocessed into a digitized scene data 1020. A first subset 1025 of thedigitized scene data 1020 is selected based on a pan, tilt, and/or zoomcommand(s) that can be transmitted from an input device by the user. Thefirst subset 1025 corresponds to a scene area with object 1042 that isfocused upon by the camera 1015. The selected subset 1025 may be skewcorrected (e.g., distortion compensated) into scene data 1030 that canbe transmitted to a destination. The scene data 1030 is also typicallycompressed in order to optimize the data transmission across a network.

A mechanically-based pan/tilt/zoom camera is limited to its focusedfield of vision when capturing an image. As a result, any movement thatoccurs outside the focus of the camera is not visible to the camera. Thespecific embodiment shown in FIG. 12 overcomes this limitation ofmechanically-based cameras. A motion detector 1040 can cause the focusof the camera 1015 to change by transmitting commands 1045 to cause thefocus of the software-steerable camera 1015 to change. As a result, thesoftware-steerable camera 1015 can change its focus to an area of thefield of vision 1005 where movement or activity was detected by themotion detector 1040.

Assume that the motion detector 1015 detects activity outside the scenearea of object 1042 and near the scene area of object 1050. As a result,the motion detector 1040 issues a command 1045 so that thesoftware-steerable camera 1015 selects a subset 1055 which correspondsto an area in the scene 1000 with the detected activity. In the specificembodiment of FIG. 12, it is assumed that the elements for permittingthe software-based steering functions previously described above (e.g.,webcam engine 410, processor for executing webcam engine 410, and so on)are included in the camera 1015. However, it is within the scope of theinvention to couple the camera 1015 to a customer premise equipment suchas a set top box or companion box, where the software-based steeringfunctions are performed by a processor and/or software in the customerpremise equipment. The selected subset 1055 may be skew corrected (e.g.,distortion compensated) into scene data 1060 that can be transmitted toa destination. The scene data 1060 is also typically compressed in orderto optimize the data transmission across a network.

It is noted that in the examples shown herein, more than two subsets ofa digitized scene data may be selected. Thus, for example, other subsetsin addition to subsets 1025 and 1055 may be selected in FIG. 12.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate an example of another operation of anembodiment of the invention. Assume the user sends a command 1100 (byuse of, for example, input device 365) in order to capture an image ofthe object 1042. It is noted that the user of input device 365 can belocal or remote to the camera location in any of the various embodimentsdescribed above. Thus, remote access is optionally allowed.

A conventional webcam will require a physical pan movement to the leftto capture the image of the object 1042. Assume in this example that thedigitized scene image data 1020 of the scene 1000 in the vision field1110 was captured in the manner similarly described above. The webcamengine 410 receives the pan left command 1100 and accordingly selects anarea (subset) 1025 that contains an image of the object 1042 in thedigitized scene image data 1020. The compression/correction engine 400(FIG. 4) can perform distortion compensation to reverse the distortioncaused by the wide angle lens 1010 on the captured image of object 1042.

Assume that activity or movement occurs in the vicinity of object 1050.The motion detector 1040 detects the activity and responsively transmitsa command (e.g., pan right command) 1125 that is processed by webcamengine 410. In response to the command 1125, webcam engine 410accordingly selects an area (subset) 1055 that contains an image of theobject 1050 in the digitized scene image data 1020.

FIG. 14 shows another specific embodiment where the camera 1015 capturesat least two selected areas in the scene 1000. The captured scene 1000is digitized and processed into a digitized scene data 1020. A firstsubset 1205 of the digitized scene data 1020 is selected by webcamengine 410 (FIG. 4) based on, for example, a pan, tilt, and/or zoomcommand(s) that can be transmitted from an input device by the user,while a second subset 1210 in the digitized scene data 1020 is, forexample, automatically selected by the webcam engine 410. The firstsubset 1205 corresponds to a scene area with object 1042 that is focusedupon by the camera 1015, while the second subset 1210 may correspond toa scene area outside the scene area associated with first subset 1205.The selected subsets 1205 and 1210 may then be skew corrected (e.g.,distortion compensated) into scene data 1215 and 1220, respectively. Thescene data 1215 and 1220 may be can be transmitted to a destination.

As shown in the specific embodiment of FIG. 15, webcam engine 410 (FIG.4) can select an area (subset) 1205 in the digitized scene image data1020. In the example of FIG. 15, the selected area 1205 may contain animage of the object 1042. Webcam engine 410 may automatically select asecond area that is adjacent or near the first selected area 1205. Inthe example of FIG. 15, the second area is shown as area (subset) 1210in the digitized scene image data 1020. The second area 1210 may containan image of object 1050. It is noted that other areas adjacent to ornear first selected area 1205 may also be selected by webcam engine 410for processing.

FIG. 16 shows another specific embodiment where the camera 1015 capturesat least three selected areas in the scene 1000. The captured scene 1000is digitized and processed into a digitized scene data 1020. A firstsubset 1305 of the digitized scene data 1020 is selected by webcamengine 410 based on, for example, a pan, tilt, and/or zoom command(s)that can be transmitted from an input device by the user, while thewebcam engine 410 may also select a second subset 1310 in the digitizedscene data 1020 where the second subset 1310 may overlap the firstsubset 1305. The first subset 1305 corresponds to a scene area withobject 1042 that is focused upon by the camera 1015. The second subset1310 also corresponds to a scene area having a portion of object 1042.The third subset 1315 may correspond to a scene area containing, forexample, object 1050. The selected subsets 1305, 1310, and 1315 are thentypically skew corrected (e.g., distortion compensated) into scene data1320, 1325, and 1330, respectively. The scene data 1305, 1310, and 1315may be transmitted to a destination.

As shown in the specific embodiment of FIG. 17, webcam engine 410 canselect an area (subset) 1305 in the digitized scene image data 1020. Inthe example of FIG. 17, the selected area 1235 may contain an image ofthe object 1042. Webcam engine 410 may automatically select a secondarea that is adjacent or near the first selected area 1305. In theexample of FIG. 17, the second area is shown as area (subset) 1310 inthe digitized scene image data 1020. The second area 1310 may contain animage of object 1050 and may overlap, for example, the area 1305. It isnoted that other areas adjacent to or near first selected area 1305 mayalso be selected by webcam engine 410 for processing. Additionally, inthe example of FIG. 17, the area (subset) 1315 has also been selectedfor processing.

FIG. 18A is a block diagram of another specific embodiment of theinvention where the camera 1015 captures a scene 1350. The capturedscene 1350 is digitized and processed into a digitized scene data 1360as shown in FIG. 18B. In this example, three focus areas 1352, 1354, and1356 in the scene 1350 are shown for purposes of describing an operationof an embodiment of the invention. However, the number of focus areasmay also be increased or decreased in various amount. Assume furtherthat objects 1362, 1364, and 1366 are within focus areas 1352, 1354, and1356, respectively.

A conventional camera can typically only focus on one of the focus areas1352, 1354, and 1356, and will require movement in order to shift fromone focus area (e.g., area 1352) to another focus area (e.g., area1354). Thus, as an example, in a video conferencing application, theconventional video camera may only be able to focus on the individualwithin focus area 1352 but not focus on the individuals within focusareas 1354 and 1356 unless the camera is physically steered to the focusarea, or unless a second video camera is placed in the room to capturethe other focus areas that are not captured by the first video camera.

In contrast, in one embodiment, the camera 1015 can capture focus areas1352, 1354, and 1356 without requiring movement of the camera 1015. Asone example, a first subset 1368 of the digitized scene data 1360 isfirst selected by webcam engine 410 (FIG. 4), while a second subset 1370and a third subset 1372 in the digitized scene data 1360 are thenselected serially by the webcam engine 410. The first subset 1368corresponds to the focus area 1352 with object 1362. The second subset1370 corresponds to the focus area 1354 with object 1364. The thirdsubset 1372 corresponds to the focus area 1356 with object 1366. Theselected subsets 1368, 1370, and 1370 may be skew corrected (e.g.,distortion compensated) and may be transmitted to a destination.

To serially capture the objects 1362, 1364, and 1366 in focus areas1352, 1354, and 1356, respectively, the subsets 1368, 1370, and 1372 indigitized scene data 1360 are serially selected or sampled. The subsets1368, 1370, and 1372 are then reconstructed by use of an imagereconstruction stage 1374. The output of the image reconstruction stage1374 is an output image 1376 which include images of all objects in thecaptured focus areas 1352, 1354, and 1356 of scene 1350. Thus, thisspecific embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 18A and 18Badvantageously permits a wide focus area in a scene to be captured by asingle camera, without requiring physical movement of the camera.Additionally, this specific embodiment may permit a single camera tosimulate multiple virtual cameras, since images from multiple focusareas can be serially captured and integrated into a single, integratedoutput image 1376. It is noted, as similarly described below, that thesubsets 1368, 1370, and 1372 may be transmitted to a destination deviceprior to being reconstructed into the single, integrated output image1376. The transmission of the subsets 1368, 1370, and 1372 may beperformed serially.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are block diagrams showing the transmission of thecompensated scene subset data 1320, 1325, and 1330 to a destinationdevice 1400 such as a server, printer, or computer. The advantage oftransmitting the composite data 1320, 1325, and 1330 as separate viewsis in the savings of bandwidth. As shown in FIG. 19A, the composite data1320, 1325, and 1330 may be processed in and may be transmitted from thecamera 1015 to the destination device 1400. The composite data 1320,1325, and 1330 may be transmitted serially. In FIGS. 19A and 19B, subsetdata 1320, 1325, and 1330 are shown as examples for describing anoperation of a specific embodiment of the invention. Thus, any number ofsubset data may be transmitted in the operations shown in FIGS. 19A and19B.

The composite data 1320, 1325, and 1330 may be received and stored inframe buffer(s) 1405, and a processor (or image reconstruction stage)1410 may be used to reconstruct the composite data 1320, 1325, and 1330into a single image representing the scene captured by the camera 1015.For purposes of clarity and describing the functionality of anembodiment of the invention, other known components that are used forimage reconstruction have been omitted in FIGS. 19A and 19B.

As shown in FIG. 19B, the composite data 1320, 1325, and 1330 may alsobe processed in a customer premise equipment 1415 (e.g., a set top boxor companion box), and the composite data 1320, 1325, and 1330 may betransmitted from the customer premise equipment 1415 to the destinationdevice 1400. As in FIG. 19B, the composite data 1320, 1325, and 1330 maybe transmitted serially.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a method to perform a panning, tilting orzooming function according to another embodiment of the invention. Ascene is captured (1500) in the field of vision of a camera lens. Thecaptured scene in the vision field is then stored (1505) as scene imagedata in an image collection array. The scene image data in the imagecollection array is then processed and stored (1510) as a digitizedscene image data. A plurality of subsets of the digitized scene imagedata is then selected (1515). For example, a first subset of thedigitized scene image data may be selected based on pan/tilt/zoomcommand(s), while a second subset may be selected based on motiondetection techniques. Distortion compensation and compression may thenbe performed (1520) on the subsets of the digitized scene image data.The distortion-compensated and compressed subset may then be transmitted(1525) to a selected destination such as a destination device.

Other variations and modifications of the above-described embodimentsand methods are possible in light of the foregoing teaching. Forexample, webcam 100 may comprise a processor and perform the selectionof the subset of the digitized scene image data and the distortioncompensation and compression of the subset instead of STB 140. Asanother example, the webcam 100 can send the digitized scene imageoutput to a processing device, such as a personal computer instead ofthe STB 140, and the processing device can select the subset of thedigitized scene image data and perform the distortion compensation andcompression of the subset.

As another example, the webcam 100 can instead send the digitized sceneimage output to an optional companion box device 175 (FIG. 1) instead ofsending the digitized scene image output to the set top box 140. Thecompanion box 175 may include, for example, the functionality of anInteractive Companion Box, as described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/815,953, filed on Mar. 23, 2001, entitled “Interactive CompanionSet Top Box,” by inventors Ted M. Tsuchida and James A. Billmaier, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Functions ofthe Interactive Companion Box may include Internet access,Video-on-Demand, an electronic programming guide, videoconferencing,and/or other functions.

As another example, the sample stage 245 in FIG. 1 may instead performthe selection of the image subset to be compressed and compensated fordistortion, instead of the webcam engine 410.

Further, at least some of the components of this invention may beimplemented by using a programmed general purpose digital computer, byusing application specific integrated circuits or field programmablegate arrays, or by using a network of interconnected components andcircuits. Connections may be wired, wireless, by modem, and the like.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to implement aprogram or code that can be stored in an electronically-readable mediumto permit a computer to perform any of the methods described above.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention,including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize.

These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the abovedetailed description. The terms used in the following claims should notbe construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of theinvention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, whichare to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claiminterpretation.

1. A method of controlling the capture of an image of an object in acamera field of vision, the method comprising: storing, in an imagecollection army, data of a scene within the field of vision of awide-angle lens; storing, in memory, digitized data of the scene withinthe field of vision; selecting a plurality of subsets of the digitizeddata of the scene; performing distortion compensation on each of theplurality of subsets of the digitized data of the scene to correct fordistortion caused by the wide-angle lens; and transmitting individuallyeach of the subsets of distortion compensated digitized data to adestination device for simultaneous display thereon.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the plurality of subsets of the digitized scene imagedata are selected serially.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:reconstructing the selected plurality of subsets into an integratedoutput image.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein a subset corresponds to afocus area in the scene.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the camera isused to transmit images in a network.
 6. The method of claim 1 whereinthe camera is communicatively coupled to a first unit that is capable totransmit images in a network.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein theselecting the subsets is controlled by a first unit that is capable totransmit images in a network.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein thecamera is communicatively coupled to a companion unit that is capable ofbeing communicatively coupled to a first unit for transmitting images ina network.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting the subsets iscontrolled by a companion unit that is capable of being communicativelycoupled to a first unit for transmitting images in a network.
 10. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the camera is communicatively coupled to aprocessing device.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting thesubsets is controlled by a processing device.
 12. The method of claim 1,further comprising: performing compression on the selected subsets ofthe digitized data of the scene.
 13. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: simultaneously displaying each of the subsets of thedigitized data of the scene on a destination device.
 14. The method ofclaim 1 wherein one of the selected subsets of the digitized scene imagedata is selected based on detected activity in the scene.
 15. The methodof claim 1 wherein one of the selected subsets of the digitized sceneimage data is selected based on a location relative to another one ofthe selected subsets.
 16. The method of claim 1 wherein one of theselected subsets of the digitized scene image data is selected based ona command signal.
 17. The method of claim 1 wherein at least two of theselected subsets are overlapping.
 18. The method of claim 1 wherein atleast two of the selected subsets are non-overlapping.
 19. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: performing distortion compensation on thesubsets of the digitized data of the scene.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the performing distortion compensation is controlled by a firstunit that is capable to transmit images in a network.
 21. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the performing distortion compensation is controlledby a companion unit that is capable of being communicatively coupled toa first unit for transmitting images in a network.
 22. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the performing distortion compensation is controlledby a processing device.